The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.

With all due respect to our friends at Sub/Pop, Columbus Discount, HoZac, and I don't know, two dozen other labels who've tried it, we're rolling out a limited edition 7" subscription series in early 2012. A number of years back, some bright Matador exec came up with the title 'Singles Going Home Alone' for a proposed compilation album of the label's early one-off, long out of print singles (Mark Eitzel, Chain Gang, The Schramms, The Pastels, Fire In The Kitchen, etc.) A few of the artists we approached politely declined (or impolitely told us to fuck off and die) and rather than repair the shattered relationships, we shelved the title. Until once fine day last October when Robby Morris suggested we do a bunch of one off singles AGAIN, only this time we'll try not to alienate all of the participants.

We're planning on 6 singles over the course of 2012, but if we're having fun with this, there's no reason we won't have another batch lined up for 2013. The in the series will be the long-rumored split 7" between Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (left) and L.A. Guns (right), with the former covering the latter's "Wheels Of Fire" and Tracii & Co. tackling the latter's "Gorgeous George". We've waited nearly 23 years to tell the world L.A. Guns are Matador Recording Artists, and finally we can say it at parties without lying.

(photo by Zac Sprague)

Edition #2 will be a couple of new songs from Austin, TX's OBN III's whose most recent 'The One & Only' LP (Tic Tac Totally) has made no shortage of 2011 top ten lists. Well, the good ones, anyway. There's a longish interview with frontman/dictator Orville Neeley in the latest issue of Maximum Rocknroll...and if that sentence seem a tad out of place on the Matablog, well, keep in mind we just said we're putting out a record with L.A. Guns. Surprises are relative.

Single #3 will be a new 7" from NYC's THE MEN, whose amazing 2nd album, 'Leave Home'(Sacred Bones) is (again) one of the current year's finest. It would be the height of hyperbole to claim this record hasn't left our turntable, though it would be completely truthful to say it has on some occasions, rolled across the room and supplanted whatever else we thought about putting on.

We'll reveal the identities behind singles 4, 5 and 6 pretty soon. If you wait until then, however, you run the not-so-small risk there won't be any left.

- what you get: 6 subscription only 7"es every other month in 2012, plus a special secret bonus item, a tote bag and 10% off all year long on the Matador Store (which cannot be combined with other discounts)

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The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.